Jersey’s public sector faces a further £29million of cuts over the next two years, on top of the £48million of efficiencies made since 2015.
Treasury & Resources Minister Senator Alan Maclean set out the scale as he pledged an “acceleration” in the pace of change next year, with the arrival of new States of Jersey Chief Executive Charlie Parker.
Senator Maclean said: “We also recognised the need to continue to modernise our policies, our planning and our infrastructure, so that Jersey can continue to attract and retain the businesses and the wealth they create, that we rely on to fund our way of life. But there is much more to do. During 2018 and 2019 a further £29 million will be delivered. But the reform programme is about more than just cost efficiencies, it’s also about doing things better.”
He outlined a raft of examples of reforms being planned:
- reduced waiting times at the hospital
- treating more people in the community
- improved children’s services and better quality social housing
- using technology – providing services that are always on, 24/7, so people can access them when they want, not just when States offices are open
- the Love Jersey app – allowing islanders to report problems immediately
- Bus Tracker – showing the real-time location of buses
- Mobile Car Parking app – showing real-time car park availability
- Active Jersey app – allowing people to book classes and hire facilities at States-run sports centres
- Tell Us Once – sharing information given to one department with others that need to know, so, for example, you only have to register a birth or death once
The latest round of reforms follows major changes to pay and terms and conditions for public sector workers. The previous 10 sets of terms and conditions will be replaced with one, while the existing 75 pay grades is being reduced to 10.
He added: “We need it to do things differently, both to deliver better services and to plan and deliver policies and infrastructure that supports our future economic and social success. This is what our new Chief Executive will be focusing on – developing a single public service to deliver public services comparable with the best in the world.”
